Category Archives: Choosing Behaviour

Reality Check: Evaluate your Information

Posted on February 3, 2013 by RealityCheck

Is depression linked to drinking diet drinks? Do teenage drivers have more daytime accidents than at night? And can you really prevent diabetes by eating more cheese? A new day; a new study. The media breathlessly reports what we now … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged "should", examining options, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: Hoped-for results

Posted on January 13, 2013 by RealityCheck

Many of us like to think that we base our important decisions on facts and logic. Sometimes, however, our “hoped-for” results crowd out our logical assessments. Let’s look at Molly and Bill, whose life together includes a home and small … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged choosing actions, examining options, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: For a fresh start, write your “wants”

Posted on January 6, 2013 by RealityCheck

Any time is an opportunity for a fresh start. We could work on improving our lives and relationships continuously, all year long. Just because we could, though, doesn’t mean that we do! However, when a new year rolls around, it … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged examining wants, perception, self-evaluation | Comments Off

Reality Check: Mottoes, Slogans, and Sayings

Posted on December 9, 2012 by RealityCheck

“Live your dream!” “Take pride in your work” “Be true to yourself!” “Have a great day!” We’ve all heard them, and maybe even used them. These are the slogans, mottoes, and sayings that we sometimes use to replace thoughtful conversation. … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged "should", internal & external control, learning | Comments Off

Reality Check: Optimism or Pessimism: Can you choose?

Posted on October 7, 2012 by RealityCheck

If pessimism has a hold on you, the idea that you can choose optimism instead won’t sound very realistic. What is optimism, anyway? Reality therapy says that behaviour has four aspects: thinking, feeling, action, and physiological effects. You can “feel … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged choosing actions, choosing thoughts, making choices | Comments Off

Reality Check: Speak up or stand down, continued

Posted on August 19, 2012 by RealityCheck

We’ve already looked at a couple who had neglected to share important aspects of their lives with each other until it was almost too late. It is important to recognize when it’s time to speak up about what you are … Continue reading →

Posted in Helping Others | Tagged choosing actions, improving relationships | Comments Off

Reality Check: Who’s the most effective saboteur?

Posted on August 6, 2012 by RealityCheck

Amanda and Annie are cousins. They have similar backgrounds, and they have faced similar challenges throughout their lives. There’s a significant difference between Amanda and Annie’s lives, though. Whenever a setback arises, Amanda is easily thrown off course while Annie … Continue reading →

Posted in Choosing Behaviour | Tagged choosing actions, examining options, perception | Comments Off

Reality Check: Worry Stoppers

Posted on July 22, 2012 by RealityCheck

“It is within your power to feel better.” That’s according to Dr. Bob Wubbolding, in “A Set of Directions for Putting and Keeping Yourself Together.” How much power do you have over your feelings? In choice theory, we say that … Continue reading →

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged anxiety, making choices, worry | Comments Off

Reality Check: The Behaviour of Worrying

Posted on July 14, 2012 by RealityCheck

Whether it’s a significant fear or just a twinge of uneasiness, most folks experience the state of “being worried” from time to time. A variety of actions and thoughts come along for the ride when our main behaviour is worrying. … Continue reading →

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged anxiety, making choices, worry | Comments Off

Reality Check: To Temper a Temper

Posted on June 17, 2012 by RealityCheck

Aren’t words fun? The phrase “to temper” means to calm, whereas a person who “has a temper” is angry. If you have a temper, do you have a choice? Or is your temper out of your control? Josie has a … Continue reading →

Posted in Making a Change | Tagged choosing actions, internal & external control | Comments Off